Arrest of activists a witch hunt to divert attention from government: Ramachandra Guha to India Today

In an exclusive interview to Rajdeep Sardesai, historian Ramachandra Guha said if Mahatma Gandhi was alive today, he would have donned his lawyers robes and defended the activists arrested in connection with Bhima-Koregaon violence.

Sudha Bharadwaj, a lawyer by profession, has devoted her entire life to the underpriviledged and dalits. "She had never preached or practiced violence in her life," Guha said.

Speaking to India Today TV, Guha said the charges slapped against the five activists are bogus.

Guha also said this is yet not an emergency. "But it is gross misuse and abuse of state power. It is to divert people's attention. People who are speaking for the adivasis are being targetted."

Varavara Rao, lawyer Sudha Bharadwaj, Arun Fereira, Gautam Navlakha and Vernon Gonsalves were arrested, the police have said, for their involvement in organising Elgaar Parishad earlier this year in Pune.